Elite Traveler Spring 2021

EXPLORE TOP HOTELS

Plaza Athénée PARIS, FRANCE

Famously opulent, unabashedly ostentatious and boasting a fashion experience to please even the fussiest VIP, Plaza Athénée is a crash course in over-the-top luxury. Its geranium-filled facade —which has starred in numerous cover shoots and in Sex & the City — sits on the prestigious tree-lined Avenue Montaigne (home of Parisian haute couture) and is legendary the world over. Fashion houses Dior, Chanel, YSL, Louis Vuitton and more are your neighbors, along with the River Seine and Eiffel Tower, both within walking distance of the hotel. Few Parisian hotels rival its charming mix of French classicism meets Art Deco meets millennial modern convenience. A touch of Versailles style with a contemporary finish runs throughout, with polished white marble floors, glitzy immense chandeliers and opulent staircases. The suites (many interconnecting) are, in a word, incroyable . The best are found on the top floors (avenue-side), decorated with portraits, period paneling, plush carpet and chandeliers, with a more modern Deco styling in some rooms. Balconies show off flawless Eiffel Tower views: The entire family will be left starry-eyed by the endless light shows that the iconic landmark displays into the early hours and, come the morning, unruly Instagram-obsessed teens will love ‘grammin’ their breakfasts for hours on end. The Royal Suite will please with its four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two drawing rooms, office, kitchen, classic design and dramatic panoramas over the city of Paris. Extra family time comes in the form of some very luxe dining. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée is the glamorous gastronomic hangout: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here under the ethos of a no-meat, ‘fish-vegetables-cereal trilogy.’ The food is unexpected, adventurous and, unsurprisingly, delicious. Afternoon tea is dished out in the handsome gallery and leafy courtyard, best enjoyed after a treatment in the flashy Dior spa. Expert facials yield noticeable results, and the comprehensive fitness suite — personal trainer included — is worth an early wake-up call. Younger children are treated to toys and games on arrival, and the concierge team can arrange family-friendly excursions at your request. Family fun Go all out and dine at the hotel’s Le Relais Plaza. This historic mainstay was a favorite of Yves Saint Laurent and his circle, and adored for its original Deco features as well as its theatrical service. The Paris set often descends on the place, so expect to see tables filled with a who’s who of the city feasting on brasserie fare, from king crab to a dishy sole meunière. The must-eat? Anything featuring the word oyster. Royal Suite from $29,123 per night. Contact Louise Prevost, director of guest relations, reservations.hpa@dorchestercollection.com, +33 153 676 667, dorchestercollection.com